Alesco
Chapter Ten---Too Much Emotion
*
Ron ran down the hall, past dozens of terrified students. At one point, he even thought he heard the angry growl of Argus Filch. Filch's voice died away awfully quickly, and Ron didn't slow down.
Finally, Ron reached the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. The teacher's quarters were located up the stairway near the front of the room. Ron ran up the stairs three at a time, and pounded desperately at the door.
Something's wrong with me. Professor Forester never told me this would happen. I haven't even had a meeting with her yet. Any why, oh why, did Dumbledore tell me to keep this quiet from everyone? Ron thought all of this, while he breathed heavily.
He was about to pound on the door some more, before it opened, and Professor Forester looked out. She didn't really look like a professor anymore, though. She was wearing flared khaki trousers, boots, and a plain white t-shirt.
"Ron, what's wrong?" She asked, and appeared extremely concerned.
Ron was still staring, but he said huskily, "I need to talk to you. Can I come in?"
"Of course." She backed up and opened the door wider, and Ron came in and started pacing. He barely looked about the room, feeling the panic rise in him again.
Professor Forester came up behind him and grabbed his shoulders. "For Merlin's sake, Ron, what is it?"
Ron turned toward her, out of her grasp. It was the first time he'd ever heard a professor use that particular phrase...but the professor wasn't a "normal teacher" type. At least, not the way she looked right now......
"It's....I've just been....having all these different feelings. It seems to be getting worse every day..I didn't realise what was happening...until today..." Ron said desperately, running a hand through his tousled hair. "And...right after this terrible anger..I had this vision. About a minute later, it happened, right in front of me."
The professor stood looking at him silently, for a very long time. She crossed her arms. Her face became grave, and she said quietly, "Sit down, please. Relax." She gestured toward a cushy green chair, then sat in an identical one right across from him.
Ron thought about her words. She was asking him to relax. Right. How could he relax now?
She sat there for several moments, apparently lost in thought. Ron swallowed, and took the opportunity to look around. The room was cluttered, and several empty boxes were lined across one wall. Stacks of books were piled on a small table, and also on the desk. The open doorway leading to the professor's bedroom was open, and Ron noticed that the bed hadn't been made. It truly surprised him that this woman, with such a sleek appearance during class, was so messy. As he began to calm and focus on his surroundings, he was startled when he heard the professor clear her throat. He turned around, and noticed her thumbing through a large book. Reading now? He vaguely thought that all the smart pretty girls ended up with books in their faces....
She put the book down abruptly, and then stood up, turning around. When she turned back to him, she crossed her arms again.
"I fear....I'm afraid to say that this was..nearly unexpected." Her voice was husky and steady.
"What? What's wrong?" Ron said, a little hitch in his voice.
Moving toward him, she pulled over a nearby stepstool, tossing a pile of magazines off it and sitting very close next to him. "I fear that the power of the brain was more intense than I, and the others in my department, realised. You see, the sort of reaction you're getting is the same as a young Siren would feel. However, they have more of a chance of resolving these volatile emotions than you ever will."
Ron's brow furrowed as the professor continued. "When I was with you, in the Headmaster's study, I thought what I had done to you would help you for a week or two, just until I put my schedule together and decided when we would meet every week. Have you been having the nightmares recently?" She asked him, placing her hand on his arm.
Ron jumped. Her hand was clammy. He wanted to move away, but didn't. "No, I haven't had any nightmares. I was really happy about that. Instead, all my emotions started coming out."
The professor sighed. She took her hand from his arm, and then propped her elbow on the arm of his chair. Finally, she said, "Under Professor Dumbledore's urging, I've already sent a letter to your parents, informing them of the situation. I've asked them to come to Hogwarts so that I can explain in person what is happening to you. Now, I fear that I will have to ask them to come sooner." She stood up, and this time pulled a plain black robe over her clothes and sat behind her desk. Silence reigned for many moments, while the professor pulled out a piece of parchment and quill and ink.
"So...that's it." Ron muttered, standing up. "Can you help me, or not?" He said it with more anger then he intended.
Professor Forester looked up, not in the least upset. She said matter-of-factly, "No, that is not it, and yes, I can help you. But I fear it will mean so much more than you expected a week ago. It will require a dedication I don't know if you will be able to commit to...and I can't ask you to do it. I need to speak with your family first." She looked back down to at her writing.
Ron turned to the door. He was about to walk out, when he heard a sharp voice say, "I'm not done with you yet, Ron."
His heart skipped a beat from the coldness that shot through him at her words. He turned around immediately, and for one moment he saw a truly terrible look in her eyes. His body felt weightless for a moment, before her expression eased, and she let out a heavy breath. Then she said. "I'm sorry."
"For...what?" Ron said, running a hand over the goose pimples that had risen over his arms.
"I lost control. It won't happen again." She looked down quickly continued to write. "I need to talk to you about a few things. I will tell these things to your family, as well, when the come, but I want you to know first. For everyone's safety, the Headmaster and I still feel that you should keep everything we say in confidence--at least for now." She was done writing, and cast a quick-drying spell on the parchment. Folding it carefully, she placed in an envelope and gave a sudden, sharp whistle. Placing the envelope near her open window, she came over to Ron again.
"Please sit." The professor entreated, and gestured once more toward the proffered chair. She sat at the opposite chair again. At that moment, she looked the part now, with her black robe on.
"We previously didn't inform you which house was raided the day in which the brains were taken. They were taken from the house of Lucious Malfoy, and we feel that once the Death Eaters succeeding in destroying Harry and taking the prophecy, they were also planning to reclaim the brains and turn them over to Lord Voldemort."
Ron frowned, then looked astonished. "Malfoy? So, he and Draco know that one of the brains attacked me...."
"But they don't know which one it was. That is why we must keep this secret from your classmates. I know you hate to do it, but we must. It is for everyone's safety. Also my own." She whispered the last sentence, and Ron was puzzled. Before he could think about what she had said, a large bird swooped into the partially open window and grabbed the letter left near it.
Professor Forester turned halfway and said softly, "To the Weasley's, Cecil."
Ron realized it was an eagle, just as it appeared to nod and lift off. The sound of its flapping wings died quickly, and the professor turned back to him.
"What was I about to say? Oh, yes. I need to explain to you what I must to ask your parents." Clenching the fold in her robes tightly, she sat at the end of her chair, her knees bumping against his. He didn't know whether he should lean forward, too, or lean back. He just stayed where he was.
"Ron, do you feel calm now?" She asked softly.
"Y..yeah." He answered, not really certain what she meant. He felt more calm than he had before. But with her knees against his, he didn't feel calm at all. She gave him a brief smile. "Good. Then my presence calms you. THAT was what I had been banking on.
"Ron, I can help you a little right now. It will only be temporary, and the intense feelings will come back in a couple of days if you don't continue. That is why it is imperative that we start with the REAL sessions, the ones that will prepare you for the powers you will have. The only problem is, I wasn't sure that the depth of your power would be so strong." She sighed.
"The problem we are going to have is...well...it's typically called mind-bonding." She laughed shakily. "Well, I'm getting ahead of myself. You see, young Siren children were unable to learn their powers until adolescence. So, since birth, their were mind-bonded with one of their parents. Then, when they grew into their powers, at about sixteen, they left to pursue their own evil ventures. You see, Sirens were solitary creatures. After all, if there were too many around, there would be too much competition." She laughed again, harshly. "At least they felt the need to care for their children, who were nearly always pure-bred.
"So, when an infant Siren was born, they were very upset. They would feed off of and mirror all types of emotion around them. It's a part of the Siren childhood few experts know about. But I experienced some of it firsthand, so I can tell you that it was very unpleasant. It was probably very similar to what you experienced. Since I am a quarter Siren, I didn't need to mind-bond. I had this."
She pulled a tiny mirror with handle on it from her pocket. The mirror was square, and the handle and frame looked like clear glass. She handed it to him.
"It's called an Invalesco Mirror. All you have to do is stare at it, and fix your gaze at one point of your face...say your nose. Any number of things can happen when you look into the Invalesco Mirror. You may lapse into a memory from your past, you may see the near future. If you've been mind-bonded, you may see memories from your mind-bond partner's past." The professor said the last sentence heavily.
"I want you to use this mirror every day, Ron. If you forget, you will begin to feel intense emotions again. I have my own mirror, and I will need to use it too, until this is over. I also need to begin the having sessions with you in order to keep your nightmares from coming back. The most important thing I need to tell you is that the mind-bonding process isn't painful, or terrifying in and of itself. The problem is....the Siren you mind-bond with will be connected to you. As long you are in fairly close proximity with them--say, in the room--you will feel their pain, their emotions, as well as your own. Once you leave that proximity, you will no longer feel their feelings, only your own.
"This personal connection will last forever. It'll last until one of you die." She swallowed. Sitting up, and moving her legs away from his, she said in finality, "That is why I must speak with your family. This whole ordeal is becoming more and more personal...." She said, and Ron was stunned to hear the sad little creak in it. Rubbing her brow, she stood up. "I'll let you know when your family arrives. Why don't you go back to your common room and look into the mirror for a while. I promise that it will make you feel better." Looking at her feet, she moved around her desk again, dodging another pile of books on the floor.
Ron felt weary as he turned and walked toward the door. Suddenly, he swiveled around.
"Professor?" He muttered. "Can I ask you about...."
She looked up, a piece of parchment held between her fingers. "Yes?"
"What if I was feeling...more than...about a..." He stuttered, feeling his face burn.
She smiled, this time warmly. "Feeling 'randy' you might say?" She said it without flinching.
Ron was sure his whole body was on fire. "I mean...for Her--this girl I've known for a while--"
Professor Forester put up her hand. "No need to say more. If you feel something strongly for this girl, and she feels just as strongly, the feeling will reflect back onto you. Therefore..." She made a sweeping gesture to below her waist. No sign of embarrassment was evident on her face, and she looked back down to the parchment in her hand.
"You mean...." Ron said, clearing his throat awkwardly. He couldn't finish.
Putting the Invalesco Mirror into his back pocket, he muttered a thank you, opened the door, and walked down the stairs.
So that meant...no, it wasn't possible. How could Hermione....?
As he walked slowly across the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, mulling it over. Hermione was smart enough to set her sights on someone else...not him, surely? So...if what Professor Forester had said was right, Hermione desired him, too.
Instead of going back to the common room, Ron wandered into the Great Hall. He wasn't sure how he'd gotten there, but he sat down anyway. Lunch was over, and only a few students remained, some studying. As he was quite alone, Ron took out the Invalesco Mirror. What if he could see into the future, and find out more about Hermione?
He stared at the mirror, focusing on one tiny eyelash at the bottom of his right eye. He gradually felt as though he was being tugged toward the now gaping square glass frame, and then WHOOSH...
...everything went black for a brief moment.
Ron wanted to scream. No, he had no mouth to scream with, only his mind.
Then he was screaming. Although, it wasn't the him of here and now. It was the scream of Ron from the last hour.
He was inside himself, observing everything that happened as he had screamed at Hermione. He saw her gradually sadden, and the tears fall from her eyes. Then, when he heard his final words, "I can't even protect the girl I love!" He saw Hermione look up, full of hope. That was before he brushed his tears away, and turned, and went up the stairs.
...the blackness came again...and gradually the light.
Then, the singular eyelash, and then his right eye.
Ron blinked. He was back in the Great Hall. What a rush that had been.
Then he said it. "Bloody hell."
All at once, the hair on the nape of his neck stood up, and he turned abruptly. Nobody was sitting at the table behind him.
He felt certain someone had been watching him, and listening.
Chapter Ten---Too Much Emotion
*
Ron ran down the hall, past dozens of terrified students. At one point, he even thought he heard the angry growl of Argus Filch. Filch's voice died away awfully quickly, and Ron didn't slow down.
Finally, Ron reached the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. The teacher's quarters were located up the stairway near the front of the room. Ron ran up the stairs three at a time, and pounded desperately at the door.
Something's wrong with me. Professor Forester never told me this would happen. I haven't even had a meeting with her yet. Any why, oh why, did Dumbledore tell me to keep this quiet from everyone? Ron thought all of this, while he breathed heavily.
He was about to pound on the door some more, before it opened, and Professor Forester looked out. She didn't really look like a professor anymore, though. She was wearing flared khaki trousers, boots, and a plain white t-shirt.
"Ron, what's wrong?" She asked, and appeared extremely concerned.
Ron was still staring, but he said huskily, "I need to talk to you. Can I come in?"
"Of course." She backed up and opened the door wider, and Ron came in and started pacing. He barely looked about the room, feeling the panic rise in him again.
Professor Forester came up behind him and grabbed his shoulders. "For Merlin's sake, Ron, what is it?"
Ron turned toward her, out of her grasp. It was the first time he'd ever heard a professor use that particular phrase...but the professor wasn't a "normal teacher" type. At least, not the way she looked right now......
"It's....I've just been....having all these different feelings. It seems to be getting worse every day..I didn't realise what was happening...until today..." Ron said desperately, running a hand through his tousled hair. "And...right after this terrible anger..I had this vision. About a minute later, it happened, right in front of me."
The professor stood looking at him silently, for a very long time. She crossed her arms. Her face became grave, and she said quietly, "Sit down, please. Relax." She gestured toward a cushy green chair, then sat in an identical one right across from him.
Ron thought about her words. She was asking him to relax. Right. How could he relax now?
She sat there for several moments, apparently lost in thought. Ron swallowed, and took the opportunity to look around. The room was cluttered, and several empty boxes were lined across one wall. Stacks of books were piled on a small table, and also on the desk. The open doorway leading to the professor's bedroom was open, and Ron noticed that the bed hadn't been made. It truly surprised him that this woman, with such a sleek appearance during class, was so messy. As he began to calm and focus on his surroundings, he was startled when he heard the professor clear her throat. He turned around, and noticed her thumbing through a large book. Reading now? He vaguely thought that all the smart pretty girls ended up with books in their faces....
She put the book down abruptly, and then stood up, turning around. When she turned back to him, she crossed her arms again.
"I fear....I'm afraid to say that this was..nearly unexpected." Her voice was husky and steady.
"What? What's wrong?" Ron said, a little hitch in his voice.
Moving toward him, she pulled over a nearby stepstool, tossing a pile of magazines off it and sitting very close next to him. "I fear that the power of the brain was more intense than I, and the others in my department, realised. You see, the sort of reaction you're getting is the same as a young Siren would feel. However, they have more of a chance of resolving these volatile emotions than you ever will."
Ron's brow furrowed as the professor continued. "When I was with you, in the Headmaster's study, I thought what I had done to you would help you for a week or two, just until I put my schedule together and decided when we would meet every week. Have you been having the nightmares recently?" She asked him, placing her hand on his arm.
Ron jumped. Her hand was clammy. He wanted to move away, but didn't. "No, I haven't had any nightmares. I was really happy about that. Instead, all my emotions started coming out."
The professor sighed. She took her hand from his arm, and then propped her elbow on the arm of his chair. Finally, she said, "Under Professor Dumbledore's urging, I've already sent a letter to your parents, informing them of the situation. I've asked them to come to Hogwarts so that I can explain in person what is happening to you. Now, I fear that I will have to ask them to come sooner." She stood up, and this time pulled a plain black robe over her clothes and sat behind her desk. Silence reigned for many moments, while the professor pulled out a piece of parchment and quill and ink.
"So...that's it." Ron muttered, standing up. "Can you help me, or not?" He said it with more anger then he intended.
Professor Forester looked up, not in the least upset. She said matter-of-factly, "No, that is not it, and yes, I can help you. But I fear it will mean so much more than you expected a week ago. It will require a dedication I don't know if you will be able to commit to...and I can't ask you to do it. I need to speak with your family first." She looked back down to at her writing.
Ron turned to the door. He was about to walk out, when he heard a sharp voice say, "I'm not done with you yet, Ron."
His heart skipped a beat from the coldness that shot through him at her words. He turned around immediately, and for one moment he saw a truly terrible look in her eyes. His body felt weightless for a moment, before her expression eased, and she let out a heavy breath. Then she said. "I'm sorry."
"For...what?" Ron said, running a hand over the goose pimples that had risen over his arms.
"I lost control. It won't happen again." She looked down quickly continued to write. "I need to talk to you about a few things. I will tell these things to your family, as well, when the come, but I want you to know first. For everyone's safety, the Headmaster and I still feel that you should keep everything we say in confidence--at least for now." She was done writing, and cast a quick-drying spell on the parchment. Folding it carefully, she placed in an envelope and gave a sudden, sharp whistle. Placing the envelope near her open window, she came over to Ron again.
"Please sit." The professor entreated, and gestured once more toward the proffered chair. She sat at the opposite chair again. At that moment, she looked the part now, with her black robe on.
"We previously didn't inform you which house was raided the day in which the brains were taken. They were taken from the house of Lucious Malfoy, and we feel that once the Death Eaters succeeding in destroying Harry and taking the prophecy, they were also planning to reclaim the brains and turn them over to Lord Voldemort."
Ron frowned, then looked astonished. "Malfoy? So, he and Draco know that one of the brains attacked me...."
"But they don't know which one it was. That is why we must keep this secret from your classmates. I know you hate to do it, but we must. It is for everyone's safety. Also my own." She whispered the last sentence, and Ron was puzzled. Before he could think about what she had said, a large bird swooped into the partially open window and grabbed the letter left near it.
Professor Forester turned halfway and said softly, "To the Weasley's, Cecil."
Ron realized it was an eagle, just as it appeared to nod and lift off. The sound of its flapping wings died quickly, and the professor turned back to him.
"What was I about to say? Oh, yes. I need to explain to you what I must to ask your parents." Clenching the fold in her robes tightly, she sat at the end of her chair, her knees bumping against his. He didn't know whether he should lean forward, too, or lean back. He just stayed where he was.
"Ron, do you feel calm now?" She asked softly.
"Y..yeah." He answered, not really certain what she meant. He felt more calm than he had before. But with her knees against his, he didn't feel calm at all. She gave him a brief smile. "Good. Then my presence calms you. THAT was what I had been banking on.
"Ron, I can help you a little right now. It will only be temporary, and the intense feelings will come back in a couple of days if you don't continue. That is why it is imperative that we start with the REAL sessions, the ones that will prepare you for the powers you will have. The only problem is, I wasn't sure that the depth of your power would be so strong." She sighed.
"The problem we are going to have is...well...it's typically called mind-bonding." She laughed shakily. "Well, I'm getting ahead of myself. You see, young Siren children were unable to learn their powers until adolescence. So, since birth, their were mind-bonded with one of their parents. Then, when they grew into their powers, at about sixteen, they left to pursue their own evil ventures. You see, Sirens were solitary creatures. After all, if there were too many around, there would be too much competition." She laughed again, harshly. "At least they felt the need to care for their children, who were nearly always pure-bred.
"So, when an infant Siren was born, they were very upset. They would feed off of and mirror all types of emotion around them. It's a part of the Siren childhood few experts know about. But I experienced some of it firsthand, so I can tell you that it was very unpleasant. It was probably very similar to what you experienced. Since I am a quarter Siren, I didn't need to mind-bond. I had this."
She pulled a tiny mirror with handle on it from her pocket. The mirror was square, and the handle and frame looked like clear glass. She handed it to him.
"It's called an Invalesco Mirror. All you have to do is stare at it, and fix your gaze at one point of your face...say your nose. Any number of things can happen when you look into the Invalesco Mirror. You may lapse into a memory from your past, you may see the near future. If you've been mind-bonded, you may see memories from your mind-bond partner's past." The professor said the last sentence heavily.
"I want you to use this mirror every day, Ron. If you forget, you will begin to feel intense emotions again. I have my own mirror, and I will need to use it too, until this is over. I also need to begin the having sessions with you in order to keep your nightmares from coming back. The most important thing I need to tell you is that the mind-bonding process isn't painful, or terrifying in and of itself. The problem is....the Siren you mind-bond with will be connected to you. As long you are in fairly close proximity with them--say, in the room--you will feel their pain, their emotions, as well as your own. Once you leave that proximity, you will no longer feel their feelings, only your own.
"This personal connection will last forever. It'll last until one of you die." She swallowed. Sitting up, and moving her legs away from his, she said in finality, "That is why I must speak with your family. This whole ordeal is becoming more and more personal...." She said, and Ron was stunned to hear the sad little creak in it. Rubbing her brow, she stood up. "I'll let you know when your family arrives. Why don't you go back to your common room and look into the mirror for a while. I promise that it will make you feel better." Looking at her feet, she moved around her desk again, dodging another pile of books on the floor.
Ron felt weary as he turned and walked toward the door. Suddenly, he swiveled around.
"Professor?" He muttered. "Can I ask you about...."
She looked up, a piece of parchment held between her fingers. "Yes?"
"What if I was feeling...more than...about a..." He stuttered, feeling his face burn.
She smiled, this time warmly. "Feeling 'randy' you might say?" She said it without flinching.
Ron was sure his whole body was on fire. "I mean...for Her--this girl I've known for a while--"
Professor Forester put up her hand. "No need to say more. If you feel something strongly for this girl, and she feels just as strongly, the feeling will reflect back onto you. Therefore..." She made a sweeping gesture to below her waist. No sign of embarrassment was evident on her face, and she looked back down to the parchment in her hand.
"You mean...." Ron said, clearing his throat awkwardly. He couldn't finish.
Putting the Invalesco Mirror into his back pocket, he muttered a thank you, opened the door, and walked down the stairs.
So that meant...no, it wasn't possible. How could Hermione....?
As he walked slowly across the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, mulling it over. Hermione was smart enough to set her sights on someone else...not him, surely? So...if what Professor Forester had said was right, Hermione desired him, too.
Instead of going back to the common room, Ron wandered into the Great Hall. He wasn't sure how he'd gotten there, but he sat down anyway. Lunch was over, and only a few students remained, some studying. As he was quite alone, Ron took out the Invalesco Mirror. What if he could see into the future, and find out more about Hermione?
He stared at the mirror, focusing on one tiny eyelash at the bottom of his right eye. He gradually felt as though he was being tugged toward the now gaping square glass frame, and then WHOOSH...
...everything went black for a brief moment.
Ron wanted to scream. No, he had no mouth to scream with, only his mind.
Then he was screaming. Although, it wasn't the him of here and now. It was the scream of Ron from the last hour.
He was inside himself, observing everything that happened as he had screamed at Hermione. He saw her gradually sadden, and the tears fall from her eyes. Then, when he heard his final words, "I can't even protect the girl I love!" He saw Hermione look up, full of hope. That was before he brushed his tears away, and turned, and went up the stairs.
...the blackness came again...and gradually the light.
Then, the singular eyelash, and then his right eye.
Ron blinked. He was back in the Great Hall. What a rush that had been.
Then he said it. "Bloody hell."
All at once, the hair on the nape of his neck stood up, and he turned abruptly. Nobody was sitting at the table behind him.
He felt certain someone had been watching him, and listening.